Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. The most hurtful part of the theft, besides the breach of trust, was the loss of the sentimental items that were among them.

I originally wrote this poem in 2013 after I had thousands of dollars worth of belongings stolen from me by a male friend who lived in another state, a six-hour flight away from where I lived. I tried my best to get justice, to no avail.

I have twigged the original wording of this poem after I had money stolen from my online bank account by a con woman. For a moment I was angry and I found it hard to accept that there are people who steal from fellow human beings, who have done them no wrong. But then I remember the days when I was a prison chaplain and that the prisons were full of thieves and criminals. If not imprisoned physically, thieves are imprisoned in their selfishness and greed.

What lesson did I learn from these thefts? Be very careful who you trust, be it a friend or an employee of a trusted company. I also learnt how to let go of the disappointment and loss. Beverley Joy.

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. When we reflect on past events, it can stir up a mixture of thoughts and emotions often linked to a song's melody and lyrics.

A song's melody and lyrics awaken memories for us, both pleasant and disturbing. How we react to those memories can have benefits or disadvantages.

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. I wrote this poem after both of my young adult daughters moved out of the family home, leaving an empty net.

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. The story of Grace continues...Grace and Darren were struggling to keep their marriage together. They could not recover from the financial losses they had experienced a few years earlier. Darren had fallen into a deep depression. Grace didn't want to stay in a marriage that was dead, but neither did she want to leave a ten-year marriage. They kept trying to fix what had broken in their relationship.

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. To love or not to fall in love again? Should Grace risk falling in love again? The story of Grace continues...These questions churned over in her mind. It had been two years since her marriage had broken down with Darren. She felt safe being single and on her own. To fall in love again would mean becoming vulnerable. But she wanted more than to feel safe. She wanted to love someone and be loved in return. But was she ready? Was she wise enough to make a good choice this time? This poem explores the decision of whether to fall in love again following the breakdown of a previous relationship.

You can read my poems at ⁠Simply Story Poetry⁠ on ⁠Instagram⁠, ⁠Facebook⁠, ⁠Pinterest, ⁠⁠and LinkedIn ⁠and at ⁠simplystorypoetry.com⁠.

May your decision to risk falling in love again bring you happiness. Thank you for listening. Beverley Joy.

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. This poem explores the moment Grace realizes her relationship with Darren must end. The story of Grace continues. Grace is visiting family 4,000 kilometres away from her husband, Darren when she receives news that resulted in her deciding to end her marriage with Darren. They had been happily married for 10 years. They had lived and travelled in their motorhome around Australia for the past 4 years. This poem focuses not on what Darren did, but on her thoughts and emotions as Grace comes to terms with her situation and the decision she must make.

My thoughts go out to my listeners who are going through a relationship break-up. Thank you for listening. Beverley Joy.

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. I wrote this poem just before we left Brisbane Queensland in the motorhome to travel across to Western Australia. We moved from a large home to a motorhome.

Grace and Darren set off on their journey around Australia in their motorhome. It had been a challenge deciding what to take and what to leave behind. Grace felt a mixture of excitement and anxiety. She could only take a few changes of clothes and only the essentials for every other part of her life. She had accepted the challenge to live a minimalist life and live without all their material possessions, just like the monks had to do. Darren had built them a comfortable motorhome. Beverley Joy.

You can read my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn and at simplystorypoetry.com.

May love travel comfortably with you.

Hi, I'm Beverley Joy of Simply Story Poetry. Grace and Darren continue to grow in their love for each other. Darren is over the moon in love with her, but Grace steps carefully forward. She still doesn't trust herself enough to relax fully into the circle of love with him. She knows it will take time and there is no rush. She is like a fresh tender stem breaking through the soil, hardened by past hurt, into the sunshine and fresh air of love. Grace is patient, she understands that soon she will blossom into full-bloom love. Beverley Joy

You can read my poems at Simply Story Poetry on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and at simplystorypoetry.com.

May love blossom into full bloom for you.